Targa Rally heading to Oamaru

Targa New Zealand are celebrating their 20th year with a rally in the South Island for the first time, which will include some stop-offs in Oamaru.

The rally began in 1994 and has previously only been staged in the North Island.

Targa New Zealand operations manager Gary Upson said it was wonderful to be heading to race in places like Oamaru.

‘We are absolutely looking forward to it. The South Island is fantastic and has some amazing roads and scenery and we just can’t wait to be racing through Oamaru and its surrounds,” he said.

The rally will begin on October 26 in Christchurch and will conclude in Queenstown on November 1.

The rally takes place on tar-seal roads and Upson said the South Island provided plenty of these roads.

“We placed some feelers out there and found some roads in the South Island that would perfectly suit the rally and we are confident the supporters will enjoy the races.”

Upson is expecting over 200 entries between the two different disciplines.

“There are two specialist events for race-goers, one which involves normal everyday vehicles that people can enter with, and modified cars that are still roadworthy which usually attracts about 120 members.”

The race stops in Oamaru on Tuesday October 28 for a 30 minute afternoon service, before returning again on October 29.

The assembly point will be based in the Victorian Precinct, with the Scott’s Brewery car park set to be the main service point, while racing is in Oamaru.

Upson said it will be good racing around and being able to see some of the older buildings in the town.

“It will be good seeing all the old buildings in Oamaru and getting to race on there streets,” he said.

When they finish in Oamaru they head west for more stages.

The cars race 2600kms all up during the rally.

By BRAYDEN LINDSAY

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

BACK TO BACK: Last year’s winner Martin Dippe will be looking to claim this year’s title.